Wales must hit the ground running says second-row Luke Charteris

WALES second-row Luke Charteris has stressed the importance of hitting the ground running in their three-Test series against Australia as the Six Nations champions look to end their long wait for a victory over the Wallabies Down Under.

WALES second-row Luke Charteris has stressed the importance of hitting the ground running in their three-Test series against Australia as the Six Nations champions look to end their long wait for a victory over the Wallabies Down Under.

Wales meet Robbie Deans’ Australia in the first of three Tests this morning at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and Newport Gwent Dragons’ second-row Charteris believes it is crucial they start off on the right foot.

“Going back to a three-Test tour, it is vital we get off to a good start. We were lucky enough to fly out early and get over the jet-lag and now we’re fit and raring to go,” said Charteris, whose side are looking to make it make seven wins out of seven in 2012 this morning following their Six Nations Grand Slam and triumph over the Barbarians last weekend.

“Getting the first win under your belt is vital to make a tour successful and more enjoyable.

“We want to play against the best and we want to earn our victories.”

The 29-year-old, who is now fit and raring to go after injury limited his participation in the Six Nations, is also more than aware of Wales’ poor record in tours to this part of the world down the years.

Wales have not beaten Australia in their own back yard since 1969 while it is 25 years since they won away against one of the southern hemisphere’s big three, that victory coming in the third/fourth place play-off in the 1987 World Cup in Rotorua under North Wales- based head coach Tony Gray.

However, Charteris, one of Wales’ stand-out players at last year’s World Cup in New Zealand, is looking to take a leaf out of Scotland’s book as they seek to end that run.

Scotland claimed a surprise 9-6 win over Australia on Tuesday in a rain-drenched Newcastle.

“It has been drummed into us how long it has been since we last beat them over here. We are well aware we haven’t played well against southern hemisphere teams away from home,” he said.

“We are very well aware we need to do something about it.

“Australia have changed nine of their team from the Scotland game and, if we can defend as well as Scotland did, we will be in a good position.”